One Day in Wine Country, Part 2: Girls, Gays, & Theys

Are you and your friends planning a trip to the Finger Lakes? We’re here to help you with some suggestions that are perfect for smallish, adventurous groups of travelers. So read on for part two in our One Day in Wine Country series!

Follow Your Arrow

…to Seneca Sunrise! This tiny, Watkins Glen coffee shop is in a renovated garage and owned by a community-minded local couple. They roast the beans right there in the back. One of their blends, “FLX Pride,” was developed during Pride Month years ago. In fact, every June they donate a portion of the proceeds from that blends’ sales to a local Pride organization. You’ll see their beans sold in quite a few local establishments, including…

The Blackberry Inn Kitchen on Franklin Street! Which is where you need to go next for big breakfast sandwiches, flaky pastries, and bagels made daily in-house. The guys at the BIK mix up their own cream cheese blends and are happy to customize your sandwich however you’d like. Make sure to grab a danish or some pre-packaged snacks to go as well because next up: horseback riding!

 

 

I Know A Place

Over the hill in Interlaken, lies the reputable D & K Ranch. This family-run ranch is focused on providing horseback adventures for a diverse audience. Group trail rides can be booked in advance, and will promise a fun hour or so for all involved! Even if you’ve never been on a horse, their holistic approach means it’s easy to relax and literally enjoy the ride. It’s the perfect activity for your IG story!

When y’all are done at the barn, consider shopping for locally-crafted gifts, jewelry, and more at HRLMS Creations. Heather is an involved community member committed to sustainability, and her creativity is endless! You and your besties are sure to find something unique to take home as a reminder of your trip to the Finger Lakes. Plus, she’s a great neighbor! Because if you’ve stopped at HRLMS, you are less than a minute from your next stop: the Silver Thread Winegarden.

Lunch

The Silver Thread Winegarden is a spacious, relaxing tasting room with an Austrian-inspired menu made from locally-sourced ingredients. The Winegarden is elegant yet approachable, with a wall facing Seneca Lake that’s made entirely of windows. It’s truly one of the best views of the lake! The Winegarden is open all year, though the menu varies based on the month. Mid-May through October, the patio is covered and you can enjoy creamy spreads, local cheeses, cold salads, and sausages alongside prix fixe wine flights or wine by the glass/bottle. Walk-ins are welcome! Visiting in a group of more than six? Please request a reservation in advance.

 

 

 

We pride ourselves on producing premium wines made with grapes from our certified sustainable vineyard. Silver Thread Vineyard is a regenerative farm with free-range chickens, strategically planted cover crops, and a focus on minimal intervention winemaking. What does this mean? It means we care. Deeply. We care about the wine we’re making, the way we’re making it, and the impact we have on the planet. Our winery has been 100% solar-powered since 2015. We spread compost along the trunks of the vines. We keep tractor traffic to a minimum between rows so the soil doesn’t get impacted. We hand-pick the grapes every fall. It’s a lot of work but we truly believe that it makes outstanding wine!

When you’re ready to move on from Silver Thread (though you’re welcome to stick around for a second glass or guided tasting at the bar), we’ve got some more suggestions in mind. Maybe more wine? Or perhaps a cocktail? What about both?

 

 

 

Raise Your Glass

As you head south back towards Watkins Glen, you’ll get to a spot that offers you two-in-one: Damiani Wine Cellars and Finger Lakes Distilling. These businesses are neighbors, so it’s easy to park at one but check out both. Damiani is another certified sustainable vineyard, known for their dry reds and sparkling wines. Finger Lakes Distilling is a staple on this side of Seneca! They use locally-grown fruits and grains to make hand-crafted spirits.

When you’re ready for dinner, just pop back down to Watkins Glen, to Graft Wine + Cider Bar for a Dominican-inspired menu featuring ingredients from local producers. Bonus points for Chef Orlando’s fully Finger Lakes wine list!

 

 

Good Luck, Babe

Traveling can be stressful, and the Finger Lakes – Wine Enthusiast’s American Wine Region of the Year – is a vast area that encompasses 11 glacially-formed lakes, 9,000 square miles, and 10,500 acres of vineyard. Navigating the region for the first time can seem an impossible task. You might spend more time in the car than you expect, and you might turn down a dirt road and get a little lost. It’s ok though! Wireless service is pretty reliable around here these days, and as long as you can see the lake, you’ll be able to get back on track.

Here on the southeast side of Seneca, a lot of us are working together to ensure a welcoming region for folks visiting from all over. I hope you’re as excited to visit as we here at Silver Thread are to host you!